When we arrived at the training ground, we found ourselves in a vast sandy space.
Moreover, it was dome-shaped, complete with spectator seating.
“What is this place? It’s seriously like a Colosseum.”
“It’s also a place for duels and combat exercises.”
Cedric explained to us.
“A duel? We’re gonna fight?”
“Well, there are quite a few people with a lot of pride who sometimes get into fights, but fights among wizards can be dangerous, right? So, they happen here. This place has special magic cast on it, so if you get injured or even die inside here, you get teleported to the spectator seats and come out unharmed.”
What’s that?
“Eh? So, if I were to kill you here, you’d just get teleported to the spectator seats?”
“That’s right. That’s why if you’re going to fight, you do it here. Conversely, using magic to fight outside of here is severely punished. That’s why dangerous combat exercises also take place here.”
Huh…it’s kinda like a game.
“Cedric, is it okay if I give it a try?”
“No way! I’m not good at combat!”
“What happened to the pride of the prestigious Seager family in England?”
“England, yes. But pride isn’t just about fighting. As adults, we should avoid unnecessary combat.”
Well, Cedric does seem kind of frail and weak anyway.
On the other hand, Frank looks strong.
“Frank!”
I began shadowboxing towards Frank.
“Are you some kind of barbarian?”
“Should I be the one to take you on?”
Ilmera happily volunteered with a slight grin on her face.
“Impossible. I can’t hit a woman.”
“Gender equality is the norm nowadays, you know?”
I think gender equality doesn’t mean it’s okay to hit women…
“My fists can dent iron, you know?”
“Pass. Be kind to women.”
Isn’t that what you just said?
As we were talking, Miss Jenny arrived.
“Everyone’s here, I see. Let’s get started with the practical magic fundamentals lesson. To explain for Nagase-kun who’s joining us for the first time today, this class involves the actual use of magic?”
The teacher seems kind.
“… Practical magic fundamentals is popular because you can use any type of magic, so it’s subtly quite popular.”
Ilmera whispered to me off to the side.
“Alright…?”
Then the teacher muttered something, pulled out what looked like a slip of paper from somewhere, and tossed it to the ground.
Then, the slip transformed into a humanoid mannequin-like robot.
“What’s that?”
“Cast magic at this. Let’s see, Cedric-kun, could you give us a demonstration?”
“Yes.”
Cedric, called up by the teacher, stepped forward and faced the robot.
Then, Cedric raised his hand towards the robot.
“Fire!”
Cedric shouted, and flame shot from the palm of his hand, attacking the robot.
Though the robot was engulfed in fierce flames, the fire gradually extinguished.
Once the fire was completely out, the robot remained standing, completely undamaged.
“Alright, good job. That’s how you cast magic. Understood?”
“Alright.”
That was pretty straightforward.
“You’re not bad at combat, right? That seemed pretty powerful…”
I asked Cedric, who had returned to the group.
“Anyone can do that much, it’s basic magic.”
I see…
I’ve only ever seen Toko produce a flame about the size of a lighter.
“Alright, next up Nagase-kun. Give it a try.”
It was my turn, as the teacher pointed at me.
“I can’t use magic though…”
“Hmm? But I heard you can use enhancement magic?”
It seems the teacher already knows about my abilities.
“Is that okay?”
“Enhancement magic is a fine magic, so it’s fine.”
Phew, good…
“Alright, I’ll give it a shot.”
With that, I stepped forward in front of the robot.
“You can do it!”
“Don’t overdo it!”
Cedric and Frank cheered me on.
“Leave it to me. I’ll tear this thing to pieces!”
No mere mannequin is going to stand up to me.
“This also has enhancement magic on it, mind you.”
“Like it’ll hold me back! I’m flying through this like nothing!”
“You didn’t listen, did you? Alright, go ahead.”
I lowered my stance slightly at the teacher’s approval, gripped my fist, and charged forward, punching the robot’s torso.
The robot flew back and smashed into the wall. It then collapsed to the ground, cracked apart, and disintegrated into pieces of paper.
“Eh? Eh—?”
The teacher stared, dumbfounded, at the scattered pieces of paper.
“How is that?”
“M-my automatons… they were meant to withstand even flare magic… they were expensive too… ”
I tried to ignore the teacher, who stared at me in shock, as a creeping sense of having done something bad started to sink in.
“Uh, that’s about it…”
The word “expensive” stuck in my head, so I avoided making eye contact with the distressed teacher as I returned to the group.
“You understand now. You’re a musclehead.”
“You’re a monster. Why are you even in this academy?”
“S, that’s impressive…”
“I’m glad I don’t have to do combat practice with you…”
Everyone was slightly taken aback but complimented me nonetheless.
“This is all I’ve got. But I can take down a bear in one hit, you know?”
I took one down in the mountains with grandpa the other day.
Impressive, right?
“A bear…”
“And in one hit too…”
“Didn’t YuiKa dismantle them with dual swords as well?”
“Are all Japanese wizards berserkers?”
Even the unseen YuiKa seems to match the stereotype…
“Expensive… no, n, never mind… alright, then next up Frank-kun.”
The teacher, who had been sulking, quickly recovered and created a new robot with another slip of paper.
“Alright!”
After Frank, followed by Ilmera, Noel, and the other students, they each cast their magic on the newly created robot, but none of them managed to do any damage to it except me.
“Hmm, yes… alright, lastly La Folle-san.”
With a satisfied smile, the teacher called forth Toko for the last turn, who stepped forward.
She glanced at me for a moment, then raised her hand towards the robot.
“A, uh, La Folle-san?”
The teacher, feeling an ominous premonition, addressed Toko, but Toko ignored her and silently cast her magic.
In the blink of an eye, the robot began to freeze rapidly.
“E—?”
As the teacher stood shocked, Toko snapped her fingers.
The frozen robot shattered into pieces and reverted to paper.
“Second one?! My automatons…”
“Is this what you can do then?”
Don’t compete with her…
Impressive as expected, the competitive Toko.
“Yes… though I may end this early, today’s practical magic class is over… Don’t forget to review…”
The teacher, clearly disheartened, said this, and Toko left the training ground without changing her expression, immediately heading out.
Thank you very much for reading.
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